Hermione smiled widely as the train pulled away from Platform 9 . Next to her stood Harry and Ginny while behind her was Ronald. They all stood together but no one waved as they stared lazily at the tracks. The relaxed calm from two years earlier when they had sent Albus and Rose off for the first time was absent. For the first time ever there would be no children accompanying them home. Little Lily Potter practically ran onto the train after so many years waiting for her turn. Hermione's own Hugo was a little more reserved. He was always a mama's boy and she knew he found it hard to leave home so young.
The silence stretched on as parents began to leave the station and return home, but the four of them remained motionless. They waited until there was nearly no one left on the platform. A few workers milled about clearing the floor of trash and dropped items. Before they too began to pop off.
"Well," Ginny broke the silence, "I suppose we ought to be off home. I know Harry and I will have our hands full clearing out Lily's room and moving my gym equipment in."
Harry stiffened momentarily and then relaxed. Hermione gently shifted sideways to stand next to him. She knew what was coming. Ronald also knew, but he instead shifted back - away from them all.
"Actually Ginny..." Harry started before Ginny could turn away. "I think we should discuss something."
He glanced at Ron and then at Hermione. "I think I should move my own stuff out today. I'll move into the flat you used when you were training with the Harpies. I know you kept it all these years"
Ginny didn't say anything right away.
"I don't blame you, but I should leave." Harry tried.
"Ginny?" Hermione ventured a guess at her thoughts, "None of us think less of you."
She glared at Ronald. "None of us."
At this Ginny turned on the spot and disapperated home. Hermione looked sideways at Harry and saw that he wasn't shaken by the response. In fact, he looked weary and resigned to the attitude of his wife. Ginny wasn't right for Harry for so many reasons. Harry had confided in Hermione a year ago that Ginny kept the old flat in Wales where she had lived prior to their marriage. She kept it and used it. A month ago they let Ronald in on the secret. He predictably exploded at the news and rallied to Ginny's defense. Eventually, he came around and saw the truth. His sister was having an affair with a muggle man.
Harry let out a sigh and turned to Ron. "I'm heading to the flat now. Can you talk to her? And pick up the bag I packed? It's in my study under the floorboards below my chair. Old habits die hard."
Ronald nodded. Harry popped away and they were left alone.
"We'll tell them eventually" She promised.
"I know." He said.
They both popped away. Ron to their family home and Hermione to the flat she'd been renting for the last several weeks.
Fin.